The Midday Brief: May 6, 2011

Your afternoon reading:

• "President Barack Obama, under increasing pressure from Latino Democrats to deliver on a major campaign promise, is planning to deliver a speech on immigration next Tuesday in El Paso." — Obama to deliver speech on immigration Tuesday in El Paso, Texas on the Potomac

• "Business in the Texas Senate has come to a standstill over negotiations to bring up the controversial school-finance bill this afternoon." — Senate on hold over school-finance bill, Postcards

• "Doctors in Texas would be able to dispense prescription drugs for the first time in about 30 years under a bill approved this morning by the Texas Senate." — Bill approved to let docs dispense drugs, Postcards

• "The big winner Thursday night might have been U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-Clute) — but not because of anything he said or didn’t say during Fox News’ GOP presidential debate in South Carolina. Paul’s committee made hay while the TV camera lights shone, raising more than $1 million in a 'Debate Day Moneybomb,' according to his website." — Ron Paul raises more than $1 million around GOP presidential debate, The Texas Independent

• "Rep. Joe Barton, R-Arlington, said Friday that a Hispanic opportunity congressional district should not be developed for North Texas. … The Arlington Republican also weighed in on the 2012 presidential race. He says he's endorsing former House Speaker Newt Gingrich for president. He said Gingrich would beat Obama, if he was able to secure the GOP nomination." — Joe Barton against new Hispanic district in North Texas, endorses Newt Gingrich for president, Trail Blazers

New in The Texas Tribune:

• "The House is sending its five budget conferees — Reps. Jim Pitts, John Otto, Sylvester Turner, John Zerwas and Myra Crownover — off to negotiate with the Senate, but they want to tie their hands on certain issues, instructing them on what's acceptable to add, subtract, or leave alone when they talk with the other side." — House Sets Budget Negotiating Rules

• "With the House set to take up a loser pays bill for the second time tomorrow, Gov. Rick Perry has added an item to his emergency list: tort reform." — Perry: We Have a Tort Reform Emergency

• "In recent months, a set of seven 'breakthrough solutions' for higher education have been discussed, debated and mulled over in the press, the Legislature, and various academic circles. Arguably lacking in the debate is the voice of a disinterested third party — until now." — Consultants Analyze Higher Ed "Breakthrough Solutions"